— Christian Living, Devotionals —

Refrain and The Christian Relationship

I have learned a great lesson on refrain.

When is it time to stop sharing, to stop producing hope for others, and to back off from an attempt at civility and walk away? Not to cause strife, discord, or slander, but to cut the bond of hole-filled glue that has never stuck well together is what is on the forefront of my current thoughts.

We are to be lights. Lights for Jesus. That’s what we teach our children and our example for the world. But what if the light that we carry gets stuck under the shoe of dissension, or the barrel has a sand bag on top so that the light can’t push its way out? Do we let that light just simmer out or do we cut it off on our own and move on?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ESV

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven

For there is a time you can walk away. You don’t need to be beat up and then have your feelings urge you to fight back, feel anger, look for retribution, cause further strife, or succumb to the thought processes of another. Toxicity is not meant for the children of God.

The Lord will provide a way back if His will so calls for it. It may be difficult to cut the line at first, but He does provide healing for all.

There is a time to be temperate in character and to let the Lord work things out. A change needs to take place before any interruption comes to pass. There also may be cause that the interruption will remain in place causing for peace to take hold as replacement to what has been lost.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction

Therefore the fear of the Lord should guide our steps. Do not allow for yourself to fall into foolish ways. And just because someone calls you a fool, your standards are above those of the world, but fall on the Lord’s statutes which are above reproach. His convictions outweigh those of any man.

For there is a time you can walk away. You don't need to be beat up and then have your feelings urge you to fight back, feel anger, look for retribution, cause further strife, or succumb to the thought processes of another. Toxicity… Click To Tweet

So as I refrain from further strife, loneliness may encounter me as I put new approaches to relationships into practice. I encourage you as well as myself to hold on to the face that these are growing pains in our faith walk, a season of change, and a step away from foolishness and into wisdom.

 

6 thoughts on “Refrain and The Christian Relationship”

  1. “The fear of the Lord should guide our steps.” Yes and amen! Those are such wise words that we would all do well to consider. Thank you.

  3. I will walk a mile with him,
    and then I will walk two.
    But if goes from bad to grim,
    then baby, I am through,
    for my light has other uses
    than to be shut down, put out
    by my own half-baked excuses
    in trying to convert this lout.
    Yeah, I’ll move on and polish up
    this lovely light of mine;
    I’ll put my pearls back in their cup,
    not place them before swine.
    You don’t want one sad soul to fall,
    but really, you can’t save them all.

  4. Thank you for this focus on stepping away to sort things out and try new approaches. Restraint is wisdom in action!

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